Prosecutor: Drug case informant was under investigation

Feb. 21, 2018

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (AP) — Prosecutors say they decided not to pursue drug charges against a former suburban Chicago police officer because a key informant was under criminal investigation.

The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports that DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said Tuesday evening that the case against 35-year-old former Schaumburg officer John Cichy relied heavily on testimony from the informant. Cichy was accused of stealing drugs from dealers and selling the drugs for profit.

Berlin says a day before Cichy's trial was to begin last week prosecutors learned of criminal activity by the informant that hadn't been disclosed. Berlin said the evidence "seriously compromised the credibility of the informant witness."

Two other officers, Matthew Hudak and Terrance O'Brien, pleaded guilty and each received more than 20-year prison terms in the case.